Falcons: Grades for each defensive position for 2017

Falcons: Grades for each defensive position for 2017

The Atlanta Falcons offense is an undeniably powerful unit and their success in 2016 played a huge role in the team’s playoff run.

However, they would not have cruised through the NFC so easily if not for a defensive unit that got better and better during the season. Heading into 2017, Atlanta’s defense is younger, faster, smarter, and still on the rise.

Let’s hand out grades for each position on the Falcons defense today.

Edge defenders: C+

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

How quickly things can change in a year.

In June of 2016 there wasn’t much reason to be too excited about this unit. Since then, two enormous changes have taken place.

First, Vic Beasley blossomed seemingly overnight into one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL. His 15.5 sacks and six forced fumbles both led the league.

Next, the Falcons used their first-round pick on UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley. McKinley led an extremely deep defensive end class in pressure percentage last year. If McKinley really is the best pass rusher of this class he has a chance to be an all-time sack leader for the Falcons. He also has a certain way about him that makes him seem destined for great (or terrible) things. It may take McKinley awhile to adjust, but once he does, look out.

If none of those names excite you, then you’ll understand why the overall grade here is a C+ despite the hype for Beasley and McKinley. Aside from Clayborn, there’s simply not a lot of talent backing them up.

However, if Atlanta is able to bring Dwight Freeney back that just might jump this group up an entire letter grade, pushing them close to an A.